1 Kings 6

1Ki 6:7

NO HAMMER, CHISEL OR ANY OTHER IRON TOOL WAS HEARD AT THE
TEMPLE SITE WHILE IT WAS BEING BUILT: "In building the temple, only blocks
dressed at the quarry were used, and no hammer, chisel or any other iron tool
was heard at the temple site while it was being built" (1Ki 6:7).

All was brought perfectly ready for the exact spot it was to
occupy -- and so is it with the "temple" which Jesus is building today; the
making ready is all being done now: we are the living stones being made ready
now (1Pe 2:5-9), and after the return of Christ, and the judgment, we will be
brought to our proper places in God's "temple".

When we reach the Kingdom, there will be no more need to
sanctify us there, no more need to square our corners with affliction, no more
"smoothing" of our surfaces with suffering. No, we must be made ready HERE AND
NOW -- Christ must do this work beforehand, even if it is painful (and it will
be, in one way or another!).

But when he has finished that work, then we shall be brought
by the angels to the heavenly Jerusalem, to abide as eternal pillars in the
temple of our Lord: "Him who overcomes I will make a pillar in the temple of my
God. Never again will he leave it. I will write on him the name of my God and
the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which is coming down out of
heaven from my God; and I will also write on him my new name" (Rev
3:12).

As regards Jesus: an iron (Roman) hammer was instrumental in
the final shaping, outside the city, of "the stone which the builders rejected"
into "the headstone of the corner". As a foundation cornerstone it was laid
then, and as the head cornerstone it will, at his return, crown and complete the
"living temple".

1Ki 6:18

GOURDS AND OPEN FLOWERS: Buds and flowers -- promise
and fulfillment.

1Ki 6:29

Cp the concept of the Tabernacle. Cherubim appear round about
on walls. The eye of faith see God's purpose watching over all our services (Exo
26:15). Cp Rev 4:5,7,10; 7:4,15: cherubim visible in the heavenly
sanctuary.